Miles Bennett
In golf, an albatross is a scoring term for completing a hole in three strokes under par. It is also known as a double eagle. An albatross is one of the rarest achievements in golf, with odds of around six million to one. It is typically achieved by scoring a hole-in-one on a par-4 or completing a par-5 in two strokes. The term albatross was introduced in Britain and first appeared in a 1929 Scottish newspaper, although the term double eagle emerged in American golf circles during the 1910s.
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What You'll Learn
Albatross vs. Eagle
In golf, an albatross, also known as a double eagle, is a score of three strokes under par on a single hole. This is most commonly achieved with two strokes on a par-5 hole, but it can also be achieved with a hole-in-one on a par-4 hole. The term albatross was first used in a 1929 Scottish newspaper article, marking its official entry into the golf vocabulary. However, the term double eagle was being used in American golf circles as early as the 1910s and appeared in American newspapers in 1920, predating the use of albatross. Gene Sarazen's famous shot at the 1935 Masters is often credited with popularizing the term double eagle.
An eagle, on the other hand, is when a golfer scores two strokes fewer than par on an individual hole. For example, if a golfer finishes a par-5 hole in three strokes, they have scored an eagle. Eagles are considered more common than albatrosses and are achieved by reaching a par-5 green in two strokes and then completing the hole with one putt.
Albatrosses are considered a rare and impressive feat in golf, with odds of about 6 million to 1 for amateurs. They require a combination of skill, strategy, and luck, as well as exceptional driving distance and accuracy. Most albatrosses occur on par-5 holes, and it is impossible to achieve an albatross on a par-3 hole.
While the terms albatross and double eagle have the same meaning, golfers can use whichever term they prefer. The choice between the two may depend on personal preference, tradition, or regional usage, with albatross being the traditional British term and double eagle being more commonly used in American golf circles.
In summary, an albatross or double eagle is a score of three strokes under par on a single hole, while an eagle is a score of two strokes under par. Albatrosses are rarer than eagles and require a higher level of skill and precision to achieve.
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How to score an albatross
An albatross is one of the rarest and most extraordinary accomplishments in golf. Also known as a double eagle, it is when a golfer completes a hole three strokes under par. This can be achieved in two ways: by scoring a hole-in-one on a par-4, or by completing a par-5 in just two strokes.
To score an albatross, you will need a combination of skill, strategy, and luck. You will need to master your long drives, particularly on par-5 holes where most albatrosses occur. Make sure you are using the right clubs that will give you the ideal distance and control. Your driver and long irons need to be in top condition. Study the course layout carefully, paying special attention to the par-4s and par-5s where an albatross is possible.
Weather conditions also play a significant role. Your best opportunities will come when the ground is firm and the wind is at your back. The longest recorded albatross was scored by Michael Wallace at an astounding 715 yards.
While albatrosses are rare, they are not unheard of. Some memorable moments in golf history include Gene Sarazen's "Shot Heard 'Round the World" during the 1935 Masters Tournament, where he made an albatross on the 15th hole, helping him win the tournament. Shaun Micheel achieved an albatross on the par-5 2nd hole during the final round of the 2007 PGA Championship, securing a tie for seventh place. Louis Oosthuizen made history with an albatross on the par-5 2nd hole during the 2012 Masters, with a 4-iron shot from 253 yards.
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Albatross in golf history
An albatross in golf, also known as a double eagle, is a score of three-under-par on a single hole. This is most commonly achieved with two shots on a par-5 hole but can also be achieved with a hole-in-one on a par-4 hole. Albatrosses are extremely rare, with only 84 recorded on the PGA Tour between 1970 and 2003, averaging about 2.5 per year. The term "albatross" dates back to the 1800s and originates from American golfing circles. The exact origin is unclear, but the first known reference was in 1929, and it is believed to have been in use for some time before then.
The first albatross score reported in the press was in South Africa in 1931 when E. E. Wooler scored a hole-in-one on the 18th hole of the Durban Country Club, a par-4. Gene Sarazen's albatross at the 1935 Masters Tournament is another notable moment in albatross history.
More recently, in 2001, Andrew Magee scored a hole-in-one on a par-4 at the Phoenix Open, and in 2023, Davis Shore achieved the same feat at the Windsor Championship. Kevin Murray recorded the longest albatross in golf history, a 647-yard second hole. Other notable albatrosses include Nicholas Thompson's achievement during the 2002 PGA Safeway Open, Xander Schauffele's score during the final round of The American Express in 2023, and Brendan Steele's achievement at Greenbrier, the first albatross in LIV Golf history.
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Albatross and its origins
In golf, an albatross is a score of three strokes under par on a single hole. This is most commonly achieved with two shots on a par-5 hole, but can also be achieved with a hole-in-one on a par-4 hole. An albatross is one of the rarest and most impressive feats in golf, with odds of about 6 million to 1 for amateurs.
The term "albatross" emerged in the 1920s, as bird slang was commonly used to describe positive outcomes in golf. The term double eagle was also used to describe this feat, particularly in American golf circles. The first known use of the term "albatross" in the press was in a 1929 Scottish newspaper, marking its official entry into golf vocabulary. However, the exact origin of the term is unclear, and it may have been in use for some time before its first appearance in print.
The first recorded albatross was scored by E. E. Wooler in South Africa in 1931. Wooler scored a hole-in-one on the 18th hole of the Durban Country Club, which was a par-4. Another early albatross was scored by Gene Sarazen during the 1935 Masters Tournament. Sarazen's "Shot Heard 'Round the World" helped him win the tournament and popularized the term "double eagle" in the United States.
The Honourable Albatross Golf Club, founded in 2022, is devoted to preserving the history of each albatross scored and recording the significance of the achievement. The club's website features the names of men and women, professionals and amateurs, who have scored at least one albatross. The Double Eagle Club, founded in 1997, registers all three-under-par scores, or double eagles, scored in the United States.
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Albatross and its odds
In golf, an albatross is a score of three strokes under par on a single hole. This is most commonly achieved with two shots on a par-5 hole, but it can also be achieved with a hole-in-one on a par-4 hole. The term albatross, also known as a double eagle, first appeared in a Scottish newspaper in 1929, although the term double eagle was used earlier in American golf circles in the 1910s and was used to describe Gene Sarazen's famous shot during the 1935 Masters Tournament.
Albatrosses are considered one of the rarest and most celebrated achievements in golf, with odds of about 6 million to 1 for amateurs. This makes it even less likely than getting a hole-in-one, which has odds of around 12,500 to 1. To put this into perspective, between 1970 and 2003, only 84 albatrosses were recorded on the PGA Tour, averaging about 2.5 per year.
The rarity of an albatross is due to the perfect combination of skill, strategy, and luck required to achieve it. Golfers need to master their long drives, especially on par-5 holes where most albatrosses occur, and use clubs that provide ideal distance and control. Weather conditions also play a role, with the best opportunities coming when the ground is firm and the wind is at your back.
Despite the odds, there have been several memorable albatrosses in golf history. In addition to Gene Sarazen's shot in 1935, Shaun Micheel achieved an albatross on the par-5 2nd hole during the 2007 PGA Championship, and Louis Oosthuizen scored an albatross on the same hole during the 2012 Masters. These examples demonstrate the extraordinary nature of the albatross and its revered place in golf history.
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Frequently asked questions
An albatross, also known as a double eagle, is a golf scoring term. It is when a player completes a hole in three strokes under par.
You can score an albatross in two ways: either by sinking a hole-in-one on a par-4 hole or by completing a par-5 hole in just two strokes.
An albatross is one of the rarest achievements in golf. Between 1970 and 2003, only 84 albatrosses were recorded on the PGA Tour, averaging about 2.5 per year. The odds of achieving an albatross are about 6 million to 1 for amateurs.
Some memorable albatross moments include Gene Sarazen's "Shot Heard 'Round the World" during the 1935 Masters Tournament, Shaun Micheel's albatross during the 2007 PGA Championship, and Louis Oosthuizen's albatross at the 2012 Masters.
